Favorite Vignettes

On the past couple episodes of the "new" NXT, dubbed NXT 2.0, a vignette for a new wrestler named Tony D'Angelo have aired. The character seems to be a mafioso making his way to the world of wrestling. It got me thinking about vignettes.

Before the internet and social media became what it is today. Vignettes were the best way to build up a debuting or returning wrestler. Providing some insight to their persona and what their mission statement will be in a promotion. Or even just reminding fans to not forget about a returning wrestler, cause they still have some work to do.

Today vignettes are used sparingly by various promotions, and lately when they have been used. It's often with no substance, you don't gain an idea of who a person is or what they are gunning for. 

I love a good vignette and think while it shouldn't be done for every debuting wrestler. It would behove promotions if they aee done, alot more often than they currently are. A short 30 second to a minute vignette goes along way to have audiences build a connection with a new wrestler before they debut. 

Which can possibly also be a great indicator if a new gimmick will be dead on arrival or not. I've compiled a list of my top ten vignettes regardless of if the act itself failed.

 Heres a list of my top 10 Vignettes.

10. Glacier

Glacier the wrestler may have been average. Glacier the character may have failed. The Blood Runs Cold angle went nowhere. The Glacier Vignettes however, were top tier with some big time 1996 dollars, production and thought put into them.

Using Mortal Kombat as inspiration or ripping it off, depending on how you want to slice it. These Vignettes from WCW gave the impression Glacier was a skilled fighter who traveled the world learning different forms  and techniques of martial arts and was bringing his other worldliness to WCW. The presentation didnt stop there, he had one of the more unique entrances in WCW at the time.

However things just never clicked for the guy. His matches were ok, don't remember him cutting promos. Then WCW lost interest in the angle. The vignettes still are A+ in my book.

9. Bolieve

Looking back at it, the Bo Dallas Bo-lieve act while successful in NXT was doomed to fail on the main roster. That doesn't mean he didn't try his best and his vignettes weren't well produced. Promoting his inspirational overly optimistic, corny yet condescending act that anything was possible if you just Bo-lieve. I still get a kick out of the corniness of these vignettes, and just how goofy Bo Dallas played the part.

8. The Miracle 

In early 2016 promos began airing on Impact stating that everyone needs a miracle. Follow up vignettes showed scenarios such as game winning basketball shots and scoring touchdowns. Even a solider returning home from duty elated to see his family. All leading up to the debut of the pro wrestling jesus "The Miracle" Mike Bennett. I like Mike Bennett as a wrestler and felt he proved he could be a big fish in a smaller pond, but once he actually debuted his miracle gimmick didn't take off as it should. 

The vignettes however were ambigious enough to get people to ask what is going on? which is why it's one of my favorites.

7. Bianca Belair

Bianca Belair was called up to the main roster after WrestleMania 36, but was quickly lost in the shuffle. In the Fall of 2020 the WWE decided to refocus on her act and produced a series of vignettes, that showed why she is the EST of WWE. Her vignettes were reminiscine of Mr. Perfect's from the 80's. They showed her being the fastest, the smartest, and the strongest in various scenarios,  displaying her charisma, confidence, and budding star power.

6. Kharma

The Vignettes for Kharma (Awesome Kong) were super simple but so effective, featuring a figure slowly admiring a barbie doll before ripping it apart. These Vignettes provided the mission statement of Kharma, she was coming to the WWE to destroy all the cookie cutter manufactured  members (which WWE had alot of at the time) of the women's roster. It was effective enough to put the at the time divas division on notice that someone was coming for them.

While we're on it I wouldn't be mad if the gimmick was rehashed. Kharma became pregnant shortly before her debut and never actually wrestled in the wwe, ending the angle before it started. It's been 10 years and most fans have likely forgotten about this planned angle. Time to pull from the vault.

5. Razor Ramon

The Razor Ramon vignettes clearly inspired by the classic Scarface movie, which fun fact Vince Mcmahon had never seen when the idea was pitched to him. Along with his ring work, the character of Razor Ramon played a part in making Scott Hall the legend he is today.

Before stepping into the ring, these vignettes showed just how much Scott Hall oozed charisma. Razor Ramon was bravado, macho and just displayed a certain amount of swagger about him. Which helped fans connect with him and idolize him when he debuted. 

4. Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase

The Million Dollar Man vignettes maybe the epitome of properly using vignettes to build a character. Prior to his debut, Ted Dibiase's vignettes let you know what he was all about. From his clothes to his cars, the excess stuff he had at his disposal. Let's not forget his custom made diamond encrusted Million Dollar championship. Before he set foot in a WWF ring you knew his pocket's were full of money, and wasn't afraid to shove it in your face. Which made him instantly hated the first time he appeared for in-ring competition.

3. Mr. Perfect

These WWF vignettes for Curt Henning were, pardon the pun just perfect. Highlighting a man who was a winner in everything he did, because he was that damn good at life. Mr. Perfect could throw a football, run downfield and catch it. A master at bowling, golf, chess, baseball any sport you could think of he did and did it well. Enough cannot be said about how well the character was presented before stepping foot in a WWF ring, instantly building that connection with fans.

It didn't hurt that Curt Henning was nearly flawless in the ring, helping build the character up as a man who never fails.

2. Bray Wyatt

In 2013 vignettes for a creepy, backwoods cult leader named Bray Wyatt began appearing on WWE TV. These promos are a perfect example of WWE's strong production values, stemming from their desire to be taken as a serious entertainment company.

These promos appeared as if the budget for them rivaled some network TV shows. Add in Bray's cryptic messages, his equally as strange "followers" and just the desolate and bizarreness of each promo, makes these series of vignettes the best ever produced in professional wrestling.

1. nWo

These vignettes are legendary for the famous opening line of each one "The Following announcement has paid for by the new world order". Each one filmed in the signature black and white with just enough hint of graininess was another way the nWo stood out during the height of their popularity. In the early days of the group these vignettes also helped establish exactly what the goal of the nWo was. 

Later on they were used to give members time to speak on their respective feuds or even push some merchandise. The overall presentation of these vignettes, which were far different from any others at the time. Is one of the main reasons why they are legendary and number one on my list of favorites.